Summertime Natural First Aid Kit

Summer is here, and although that means more fun in the sun, it also means a higher likelihood of sunburns, bug bites, and other maladies. When you’re out on your adventures during the summer, you should always keep a first aid kit with you, just in case of emergency. To stay truly health-conscious and eco-friendly, you should look for natural products as well. Natural products are particularly great for kids because they are typically gentle enough for their sensitive skin. Here are some of the best natural first aid products that you should always have on hand.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an absolute must-have for any sunburned skin. It’s been a tried and true sunburn remedy for thousands of years, and for a good reason – it helps reduce swelling and calm down the redness. It also soothes the blistering and dry skin that often comes along with a severe sunburn. Applying aloe vera as soon as you get a sunburn is one of the best ways to help it heal. Look for a natural aloe vera gel without parabens or other additives.

Coconut Oil
You might already have coconut oil in your kitchen cabinet for cooking purposes, but what you might not know is that it can also be incredibly helpful for soothing dry and irritated skin during the summer. Keep it on hand to use as a moisturizer or lip balm, or even to soothe any scrapes and scratches you might get while you’re having fun in the sun. You can even use coconut oil to moisturize dry, frizzy hair.

Arnica Gel
If you bruise easily (or have kids who do), you should keep some arnica gel on hand. Arnica is excellent for getting rid of bruises quickly, as well as soothing swollen, tired muscles. Put some on after an intense workout to mitigate pesky soreness the next day. Arnica gel or cream is convenient and easy to apply, but if you would rather take it orally, it is also available in capsule form.

Tea Tree Essential Oil
You may have noticed tea tree oil as an ingredient in your skincare products before, and there’s a good reason why this product is so popular – it is incredibly soothing for acne and other types of skin irritation. Keep it in your first aid kit for cuts and scrapes as well, as it soothes inflammation and helps the skin heal faster. It also works as a disinfectant in a pinch. Look for pure essential oil, instead of a tea tree product with additives.

Activated Charcoal Capsules
Activated charcoal is another popular ingredient right now because it is so good at drawing toxins out of the skin. You can use it in powder or gel form on mosquito bites, bee stings, and rashes. It also comes in a capsule form, which you can take if you are struggling with an upset stomach. It will help your body process food more effectively and soothe your stomach quickly.